High Altitude Tests (Military Equipment)

Cabin air pressure changes when airplanes reach a certain altitude. This slight pressure change also affects the oxygen concentration of the air. Healthy people don't notice these changes, but this can be a problem if a lung condition needs extra oxygen. Having less oxygen in the air can make it harder to breathe.

During high-altitude simulation testing performed in advanced laboratories, a special gas is inhaled that mimics the slightly deoxygenated environment of an airplane cabin. Here, an electrocardiogram (ECG) heart rate and rhythm are followed by monitoring the person's blood oxygen saturation. It is also connected to an oxygen tank by using a face mask that delivers the test gas. This tank is monitored to measure how much extra oxygen you need to help your lungs breathe normally.

Stress from ambient pressure effects occurs in a wide variety of situations. Advanced laboratories use a vacuum chamber suitable for larger components and complex test setups. Here, for example, a rapid, sudden pressure drop in the cabin is simulated according to the aerospace standard RTCA DO-160. With a special test system, rapid pressure drop tests are performed with high-speed pressure changes in less than 2 seconds.

In these tests A few international standards referenced are:

• RTCA DO-160 Altitude, decompression and extreme pressure tests
• MIL-STD-810G Method 500.5 Low pressure altitude test
• IEC 60068-2-13 Environmental tests - Part 2-13: Tests - Test M: Low air pressure
• IEC 60512-11-11 Connectors for electronic equipment - Tests and measurements - Part 11-11: Climate tests - Test 11k: Low air pressure

In addition to tests that simulate ambient pressure, hydraulic or pneumatic pressure tests are also carried out, for example for hose and piping systems. Both static and dynamic pressure tests are performed with hydraulic power units.

Our organization, among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, also provides high altitude testing services for military equipment with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.